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Bust of Degas, 1907

Paul Paulin

A successful dentist who came to art late in life, Paul Paulin nevertheless quickly forged relationships among the Parisian avant-garde. In 1883 he met Edgar Degas (1834â€“1917), but it would be 25 years before he created this portrayal of the famous artist. In the sculpture, Paulinâ€™s free hand lends a dynamism to his rather serious depiction of a famous, and by then famously reclusive, artist. When the work was exhibited in 1909, one critic remarked on Paulinâ€™s insightfulness, stating, â€ś[M]en...do not easily reveal their innermost thoughts, and feelings have rarely been so intelligently and sensitively interpreted.â€ť Paulin had the advantage of a long-term friendship with Degas, and the sculptorâ€™s keen understanding of the sitterâ€™s gravitas is expertly realized.